What is S-Ateen?

S-Ateen Is…

S-Ateen is a fellowship of young people, ages twelve to nineteen, who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of sexaholism in a relative or friend. Sexaholism is an addiction, similar to alcoholism. It is a family disease because it affects all the members of the family emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically. Growing up with sexaholism, you may experience feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and anger.

S-Ateen is for you and about you. S-Ateen will help you understand the family disease of sexaholism and help you find healthy ways to cope with your problems. Even if you think you are not affected by the problems in your home, many of the choices you make in friendships and dating relationships are influenced by living within a family that is spiritually and emotionally ill. Perhaps you have been affected by someone’s sexual behavior outside of your home. The sexaholic in your life may be a family member, classmate, friend, teacher, coach, pastor, or other authority figure.

S-Ateen is an anonymous program. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program. This means we keep in confidence everything that is said in meetings as well as who we see at meetings. Anonymity also means we are all equals in S-Ateen; no one is a boss or an expert. This principle of anonymity helps everyone feel safe in the meetings.

S-Ateen members may also seek out the assistance of professionals such as therapists, clergy, or doctors to help deal with crisis situations or to focus in depth on personal issues.

S-Ateen Is Not…

S-Ateen is not a program to help you fix your parents, siblings, or friends. S-Ateen meetings are not a place to complain, gossip, criticize, or stay stuck in our problems. Each S-Ateen member is given time to share in the meetings. You will have the support of other S-Ateen members, as you learn to focus on the solution, rather than the problem.

S-Ateen is not a program for young people seeking recovery from sexaholism themselves.

S-Ateen is not a religious program. S-Ateen does not discuss or support any particular religion, so we refrain from making references to specific faiths. S-Ateen is a spiritual program which follows spiritual principles to help us recover, whether or not we practice a religion. You may hear the term “Higher Power” or “God” used to refer to a power greater than ourselves.

S-Ateen groups are not counseling or therapy groups. We do not give advice. The S-Ateen Group Sponsors at meetings are not professional counselors. They are S-Anon members working their own recovery program who have been trained and certified to serve the S-Ateen fellowship. They offer guidance and support, encouraging S-Ateen members as they learn to support each other.